Press Release

Harrisburg,Pa. -- Gov. Tom Ridge today nominated Secretary of the Commonwealth Kim Pizzingrilli to the Public Utility Commission (PUC). If confirmed by a majority of the Senate, Pizzingrilli would serve until April 1, 2002.

Pizzingrilli would replace Nora Mead Brownell, who resigned to become a commissioner with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

"Kim is a great leader and a smart and savvy regulator," Gov. Ridge said. "She understands the balance that is necessary to serve effectively on the PUC: vigorously protect consumers, while fairly regulating Pennsylvania’s utilities. She was a superior Cabinet Secretary, and I am confident the Senate will determine that she will be a superior commissioner."

The PUC is an independent state agency that regulates the rates and services of telephone, electric, gas and water utilities, and bus and taxi companies.

Pizzingrilli was appointed as acting Secretary of the Commonwealth on Oct. 2, 1998, and was confirmed on March 23,1999. As Secretary, she is responsible for an agency that guides the state’s electoral process and protects public health and safety through licensing nearly one million business, health and real estate professionals. The agency also maintains registration and financial records on thousands of charities, as well as corporate filings.

During her tenure, she focused on implementing several of Gov. Ridge’s technology initiatives that gained national recognition, including the disclosure of campaign finance reports online. Databases featuring information on charitable organizations and corporations also have been placed online.

Pizzingrilli currently serves as Chair of Gov. Ridge’s Voting Modernization Task Force, charged with reviewing how Pennsylvania conducts its elections and how the process can be improved. She also was named to the National Election Reform Task Force, and was elected Treasurer for the National Association of Secretaries of State.

Prior to becoming Secretary, Pizzingrilli served three years in the Department of State as the Deputy Secretary for Regulatory Programs. In 1995, she was a special assistant to then Secretary of the Commonwealth Yvette Kane.

Pizzingrilli received her bachelor’s degree in business economics from the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown in 1981, and her master’s degree in governmental administration from the University of Pennsylvania in 1988.

A native of Corry, Erie County, Pizzingrilli now lives in Mechanicsburg, Cumberland County, with her husband, Stephen, and their two children, Kelly and Michael.